Yes. Nevada law (NRS 108.270) requires you to send certified mail, return receipt requested, to both the registered owner AND all lienholders shown on the DMV title record. Missing either notification invalidates your entire VP-147 lien sale process, even if you properly notified the owner. This is the number one reason auction houses reject VP-147 submissions from tow operators.

The confusion is understandable. A former tow operator explains on automotive forums: "Tow company has to send 3 certified letters to both the titled owner and the lien holder over about 6 week period before they can lien sale the vehicle." But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?

📋 Nevada's Dual Notification Requirement Explained:

• Registered owner notification: Required because they own the vehicle subject to the lien. Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated
• Lienholder notification: Required because they have a secured interest in the vehicle. The lender loaned money against the vehicle and has first rights to any sale proceeds
• Multiple lienholders: If DMV records show two lienholders (first lien and second lien), you must notify both separately
• Timing: Send both certified letters on the same day; the 30-day waiting period runs from the date of mailing

⚠️ What If You Can't Find Current Lienholder Information? If the lienholder on DMV records is a bank that no longer exists (merged, acquired, or failed), you have several options:

• Research the successor bank: Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia, Chase acquired WaMu, etc. Send certified mail to the current entity at their registered agent address
• Contact Nevada DMV Title Research: They can sometimes provide updated lienholder contact information for lien sale purposes ($15 title search fee)
• Document your good-faith effort: Keep records of your research attempts (internet searches, phone calls to bank customer service, successor bank inquiries). If certified mail returns undeliverable, this documentation supports your VP-147
• Consider legal consultation: For high-value vehicles or complex lien situations, consult an attorney before proceeding with lien sale. Wrongful sale to a vehicle with valid lien = potential lawsuit

💡 The Most Common Mistake: Tow operators send certified mail only to the registered owner, assuming the bank "knows" the vehicle was towed because the owner stopped making payments. Wrong. The lienholder must receive independent notification of the impending lien sale. Without proof of certified mail to the lienholder (green return receipt or returned undeliverable envelope), your notarized VP-147 affidavit will be rejected by Pahrump auctions, Copart, IAA, and DMV during title transfer processing.

🏢 We provide on-site VP-147 notarization at tow yards throughout Aliante, North Las Vegas, and Clark County. During your notarization appointment, we can review your certified mail documentation to ensure both owner and lienholder notifications are properly documented before you sign the affidavit under oath.

Related Questions

• What if certified mail comes back undeliverable or refused? Can I still do lien sale?
• After lien sale, do I owe the owner or bank any excess money from the auction?
• Who at my tow company can sign VP-147? Manager or owner only?

Nevada DMV does not legally require bill of sale notarization for vehicle transfers, but financial institutions, out-of-state buyers, and individual DMV title clerks frequently demand notarized bills of sale to verify transaction authenticity. Mobile bill of sale notarization provides same-day service at **$45 for single documents** and **$55 for multi-document packages** throughout Henderson and Las Vegas Valley.

Nevada Revised Statutes do not mandate notarization for Form VP-104 bill of sale, but Nevada DMV strongly recommends notarization when sellers and buyers cannot appear together at DMV offices or when vehicles involve outstanding liens, high values, or complex ownership situations. Most banks and credit unions refuse loan processing without notarized bills of sale regardless of Nevada law.

📋 When Notarization Is Strongly Recommended:

• Bank-financed purchases requiring lender-approved documentation
• Out-of-state buyers needing home-state DMV submission requirements
• High-value vehicles ($20,000+) where title insurance companies mandate notarization
• Private party sales where buyer and seller cannot appear together at DMV
• Auction purchases requiring additional transaction verification
• Dealer wholesale transactions involving floor plan financing

⚠️ Common DMV Processing Issues Without Notarization:

• Title clerks may reject unclear or suspicious signatures on VP-104 forms
• Processing delays while DMV contacts sellers for signature verification
• Banks refuse loan disbursement without notarized transaction proof
• Out-of-state DMV offices reject Nevada bills of sale lacking notarization

Related Questions

• When do lenders require notarized bill of sale?
• Can mobile notary notarize bill of sale same day?
• Do all Nevada title transfers require notarization?